I would really appreciate the help of a bulldog breeder to help me out with this question. I understand that english bulldogs have shallow hip sockets (acromyons) so the head of the femur is held in place more with muscle rather than the suction force that I know humans have. I have a 4 month old english bulldog and he hurt his left hip/leg while playing which responded to anti-inflammatory agents. We took an X-ray and the veteranerian (that was not an expert on the breed or a surgeon) said that he does not have a left hip joint or acromyon. I need to know if this is normal for this breed or if I need to have surgery (total hip replacement, etc.). Thank you in advance.
2006-07-21 05:28:19 · 7 answers · asked by Eddie 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Find a vet who is an expert or very experienced with bulldogs. This will be the best decision you can make with determining treatment for your pup. It's all going to depend on the mobility of the dog and whether he's in pain. He's also still a pup and not done growing yet, so it may be too early to worry about it yet. A vet who is well versed in bulldogs and their acute health problems is going to be best suited to helping you make the right decision for your pup and his well being. Hip dysplasia is common in bulldogs, however, a responsible breeder tries to eliminate genetic maladies as much as possible while continuing the standard. Some bulldogs who have shallow hip sockets never seem to have any problems, even as they age. I do applaud you in seeking answers now when you have more time to determine the best course of action.
Also, involve the breeder. This may be a genetic throwback to the breeding line your pup came from, and your breeder should want to know about it! They can probably recommend a good bulldog-experienced vet in your area.
Good luck and never be afraid to get 2-3 opinions! This is the health and well-being of your most loyal and devoted companion!
2006-07-21 07:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Michelle S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you are describing is Canine Hip Dysplasia. This congenital condition is not only common in bulldogs, but is common in many breeds of dogs. The hip socket (acetabular) can be almost non-existent to very shallow in the pelvis. This allows the head of the femur to slip in and out of the acetabular. The disease has varying degrees of severity, sometimes completely crippling a dog. Even mild canine hip displasia can lead to arthritic problems down the road.
Your dog's breeder is to fault for breeding dogs with this condition and a vet does not have to be an expert in bulldogs to diagnose this condition. All he has to be able to do is read a radiograph. He should have allowed you to view a normal hip vs. your dogs hip.
Sometimes a vet can perform a femoral head ostectomy and remove the head a the femur allowing a callus to form and somewhat fit into the socket. If it is only the left hip, this may allow your dog to have better use. If it is in both hips, they usually only do one at a time.
This is due to absolutely bad breeding and you should inform the breeder of the situation and you should never breed your dog. Dogs can be checked for this condition prior to breeding and be certified to be negative.
2006-07-21 05:56:17 · answer #2 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a bulldog expert, but I do breed Basset Hounds which also have an unusual hip assembly and bone growth pattern.
First of all, I would contact the breeder to see what she says.
Secondly, I would get a second or even third opinion from an orthopedic vet and/or a vet that is very experienced with bulldogs. It's very common in my breed for vets to misdiagnose a variety of bone disorders in growing puppies and recommend surgery, when in fact the dog is perfectly normal for it's age and breed. While it is possible that your dog has a serious problem, it is also possible that he does not, and the extra opinions could save you a lot of money and the dog a lot of unnecessary surgery.
2006-07-21 05:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you bought yours from a good breeder who has hips checked, although I doubt it if he has hip problems at 4 months. If so contact the breeder you got him from, they will want to know what is going on.
If you did not buy from a good breeder, well the cheap can get expensive (not to mention heartbreaking). Contact a breeder who shows her dogs and ask for advice.
Don't take the advice of the people on here who do not even know the most basic dog care. You need the advice of a real breeder.
You could also contact an orthopedic specialist, this is not something for a general practitioner Vet.
Sorry for your pup. This is a breed with many problems.
2006-07-21 05:49:28 · answer #4 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip socket. If the canine is wholesome in any different case, nicely-toned muscle can help the hip regardless of the lack of ability of suited bone shape until eventually the canine is amazingly elderly. yet now and back there is basically too plenty bone shape lacking and the canine is crippled. Bulldogs are widespread for mendacity in that "flying frog" place; so are French bulldogs and my stupid chow blend. :)
2016-10-08 04:09:02 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a bulldog owner, but I did a little research for you. Go to this link, and I hope you can find some of the answers you are looking for. Good luck.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hip+dysplasia+bulldogs
just copy and paste into your browser if it doesn't show up as a link.
2006-07-21 05:52:11 · answer #6 · answered by venus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
extremely tough stuff. research in the search engines. this can help!
2014-12-05 20:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by sandra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋